An IG report on purchase card use at the IRS effectively serves as a warning that even purchases of items for sharing in the office can run afoul of restrictions on allowable uses of those cards.
Auditors were reviewing the IRS’s most recent report on purchase card violations that found 30 instances of confirmed misuse and four of possible misuse that are pending resolution. Of the confirmed cases all but one were associated with the purchase of items such as hand sanitizer, over-the-counter medication and tissues for office use.
However, under agency policies such items are considered personal and may not be purchased with the card unless there is a specific health threat such as a pandemic flu or other disease outbreak at a post of duty. GAO in a legal ruling last year set a similar policy government-wide.
The IG reported that IRS management took no type of disciplinary action in most of the cases, although some employees received oral counseling or an admonishment, and three received written counseling.
Management agreed with a recommendation to issue a notice to purchase cardholders and approving officials and managers on their responsibilities and to name specific prohibited items.
